AUguST 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


South Korea and Russia to install air force communication line

South Korea and Russia have agreed to install a direct communication line between their air forces, Seoul's defense ministry said Thursday, raising hopes that it will help prevent the latter's violation of the Korea air defense identification zone (KADIZ).

What to expect from the Belgian Air Force Days 2018?

Over a few days, Belgium will once again draw military birds fan’s attention, as the country will host one of the most stunning air show in Europe : the Belgian Air Force Days. This event will be held at the Kleine-Brogel Airbase, Sept. 7-9.

UK F-35B completes first flight test with ASRAAM missile

Britain’s new stealth fighter jet, the F-35B Lightning, has carried out its first trials armed with UK-built weapons, showcasing the major role that the UK plays in the supersonic aircraft and bringing it a step closer to operations on the frontline.

Turkish fighter pilot completes first flight in US with F-35 jet

A Turkish Air Force pilot completed the first flight in US with Turkey's F-35 fighter jet, the country's Armed Forces announced on August 2018. This important milestone occurs amid strong tensions with US regarding delivery of the jet to Ankara.

Russia eyes new combat and transport chopper for its airborne troops

Russian military and designers are considering a new helicopter for the country's airborne troops not so much as an aerial vehicle but rather as a flying combat vehicle of assault troops, the Izvestia newspaper writes.

Berkuty demo team plans to switch to Mi-28NM helicopter

Pilots of Russia’s sole aerobatics group Berkuty (Golden Eagles) flying combat helicopters expect a delivery to troops of new Mi-28NMs for demonstrating the upgraded machine’s capabilities. This has been revealed by lieutenant-colonel Alexander Voronov, head of the investigative department of air contingencies and prevention of the 344th center of the army aviation.

Turkey receives 7th CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter

Turkey has started to receive a second batch of five CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters from the U.S., despite the ongoing crisis with the country regarding delivery of F-35 jets, the country's Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) announced yesterday through its Twitter account.

DynCorp lands USAF VIP aircraft fleet support contract

On August 23, The Department of Defense awarded DynCorp International (DI) a contract to support the United States Air Force at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. DI will provide executive airlift maintenance support for all management, personnel and equipment.

Leidos wins $27M contract for US Army Saturn Arch capability

Leidos has been awarded a US$27 million contract for Saturn Arch Quick Reaction Capability Aircraft, the US Department of Defense announced on August 27, 2018.

China-made AG600 amphibious aircraft prepares for water-surface tests

China's independently-developed large amphibious aircraft, the AG600, has completed trial ground flights and entered a new test phase on the water-surface.  The AG600, codenamed "Kunlong," successfully finished a trial flight from an airport in the city of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, to an airport in Jingmen, a city in central China's Hubei Province, on Sunday, according to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. Ltd.

Beriyev to roll out first Be-200 powered with Sa-M146 engine in 2021

The G.M. Beriyev Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex, the producer of the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, will equip its first Be-200 with a new Sa-M146 engine in 2021, the company said.

Boeing lands $208M order for F-15C Legion Pod production

Boeing has been awarded a US$208 million US Air Force contract for F-15 Legion Pod infrared search-and-track (IRST) pods, the US Department of Defense announced on August 24, 2018.

NSPA receives first lot of Precision Guides Munitions through NATO initiative

On August 22, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) received the first lot of Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs), acquired through a NATO project involving 11 Allies and one NATO partner. The PGMs, produced in the United States, will be delivered to their final recipients, Belgium and Denmark, in the coming weeks. The value of this initial acquisition is around 20 million US dollars.

US MALD-X program completes free flight demonstration

The Office of the US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), with Air Force Miniature Air Launch Decoy (MALD) Program Office, and Naval Air Warfare Center Point Mugu successfully completed a series of free flight demonstrations of the MALD-X on August 20 and 22.

US Marine Corps places $500M order for 29 AH-1Z helicopters

Bell Helicopter has been awarded a US$509 million contract for the manufacture and delivery of 29 Lot 15 production AH-1Z Build New aircraft in support of the US Marine Corps H-1 upgrade program, the US Department of Defense announced on  August 23.

Latvia eyes UH-60M Black Hawk procurement

Ministry of Defence of Latvia is currently looking into possibility of signing an intergovernmental agreement with the US for purchase of four new medium-lift utility helicopters UH-60M Black Hawk worth around €175 million (US$ 202 million). Black Hawks would replace the existing helicopters and boost the combat capabilities of National Armed Forces.

Japan receives first of two new Air Force One

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) took delivery of the first of two new "Air Force One", a modified Boeing 777-300ER jet airliner which will be used by the country's government for VIP transport, the service announced on August 17 on its Facebook page.

Faradair introduces BEHA M1-AT autonomous firefighting platform

Following on from a very successful Farnborough Airshow in July, Faradair Aerospace Ltd yesterday announced a drone variant of the turboprop powered BEHA M1 (Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft), in firefighting specification called the BEHA M1-AT (Air Tanker).

Austria to procure additional Black Hawk helicopters

The Austrian Armed Forces will receive an undisclosed extra budget to procure three additional S-70A Black Hawk helicopters, the country's MoD announced today on its website. This follow-on order is part of a potential €400 million "Civil Protection Package" approved today by the ÖVP-FPÖ government, Austrian newspapers confirmed.

Serbia receives two more MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia

Serbia took delivery of two more Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, the country's Ministry of Defense announced yesterday. Those two secondhand jets are part of an extensive overhaul program conducted in Russia under a US$213 million contract.

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